John, for CW, just 20w is enough to work the world.
I worked off of motorcycle batteries for about 18 years.
Sounds funny.
I worked portable using my motorcycles' battery for about 18 years.
Most of the time I had the Argonaut 509 and 405 amp (50w).
Later I had a Scout, then went to the Argosy (50w).
I never ran more than 20w CW, but for SSB I usually ran the full 50w.
That's OK, because SSB doesn't have as high of duty cycle as CW.
You didn't say if yours is the analog or digital version.
Hopefully the analog version, because if you turn off its dial lamps, it
draws only about 150mA current on RX and you can literally run forever
off
of a small battery.
I don't know why but most people always look at battery power under TX.
This is unrealistic.
The battery killer is the RX current. You need to get it as low as can
be.
Turn off everything you can, and use headphones. This will give you a
few
more hours of operation.
73
Rick, DJ0IP
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of John
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 9:20 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Using an Argosy in the field
Rick,
Thanks for the suggestion to use fishing weights to terminate the
radials.
It sounds safer as long as you don't chew the weights.
I have an opportunity to make the trip this year. It is turning into a
grand tour as I have family between here and there and so I get to visit
along the way. If I am going to do it, what better excuse to try a
little
portable QRP or whatever. The Argosy will go to 50 W but I suspect that
might have an effect on battery life.
John / WA1JG
On 4/4/2012 1:18 PM, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP wrote:
John,
Another idea for securing radials is, instead of using nails, simply
attach 4oz or 5oz lead sinkers to the ends of the radials (from the
fishing supplies store). That is enough weight to hold them in place,
without having to pound them into the ground. Also, if a pedestrian
happens to catch his foot in one, it will move with him and not trip him
up.
If you are not after squeezing every last fraction of a dB out of the
antenna, I would suggest mounting the coil lower to the ground, about 4
or
5
ft. high. That way you can reach it to change the taps.
Important is to have fun! I never made it to a Ten-Tec Hamfest. I
envy you being able to go.
73
Rick, DJ0IP
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of John
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2012 6:09 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Using an Argosy in the field
Rick,
You found it. And yes, I do understand that it will be barely
functional at
60 M. It does give me 10, 15, and 20 M so that would be nice break in
the driving. The antenna only needs the coil for 60 m, 40 M, 30M and
barely (1
turn) for 20M, I am going to think about your
suggestion for 40. But it is collapsible and I started with the
premise that if I am going to the TT Fleamarket, I should bring a radio.
I have the Argosy, and it works, I can find picnic benches
between here and there. This antenna seems like a reasonable
compromise and the Argosy dunna work so well without one.
As to radials, I was thinking about 12 radials about 15 ft long.
Attach 2 sets to each side of the base with a wing nut. Again, it
isn't ideal, but should work reasonably well. I was thinking about
getting a
15 or so 40 or 60 d nails to use as anchors. Maybe 20d nails might be
better, or at least cheaper and easier to insert into the ground. I
could crimp large rings on the outer end of each radial and nail it
down, so to speak. At any rate, I do believe that 12 to 16 radials is
the minimum to make the antenna play nice.
At the very least,it is an interesting project.
John / WA1JG
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